Category: Tenderloin

Because talking about real estate ad nauseam gets boring, and we can all use a good Bourbon from time to time, I decided to do a top 10 Favorite locales to enjoy Whiskey/Bourbon in San Francisco. Get at it!

Whiskey, the brown liquid brimming with magical properties, is one of the best liquors around. If you agree and happen to be moving to the Bay Area then you’re in for a treat, because the city has some excellent whiskey-heavy haunts that should please even the snottiest of liquor snobs. If you’re in the mood for chatting with somebody over a smooth glass of single malt, then consider checking out the following 10 places.

Bourbon and Branch

Bourbon and Branch is one of the more unique venues in Tenderloin. It’s easy to fall in love with this place because of its prohibition theme, secret passwords, hidden rooms, costumed mixologists and an exclusive, speakeasy atmosphere. Plus, they have a modest collection of uncommon and rare liquors, and some of the best mixed drinks around.

If you’re looking for an intimate encounter with your glass of whiskey, then Nihon is the place to go. This Japanese-style whiskey haunt has one of the largest selections of single malt on the West Coast, and some good food to go alongside it. Plus, if you feel like one glass of special liquor isn’t enough, you can buy an entire bottle which gets put in a private locker until you return.

There is a reason GQ put Rickhouse on its best whiskey bars in the country 2013 list: it’s amazing. It’s the go-to haunt for an after work drink, particularly if you’re lucky enough to snag a seat at the bar. This place breathes whiskey, from its 300 Kentucky-imported barrels that make up the ceiling staves, to the walls in the back which are inspired by prohibition era distilleries.

Another Bourbon and Branch whiskey house, this place is a wonderful stop, if for nothing more than they age their own barrels on the second floor. Plus, the place boasts more than 80 different cocktails, a knowledgeable staff and a traditional drinking atmosphere.

The signless 83 Proof is a wonderful bar, if you can find it. This hidden gem is quite literally hidden. It has no signage and it’s rather hard to find unless you know where you’re looking, which means the lounge is not nearly as crowded as its other popular counterparts.

If you’re craving rare bourbon and don’t mind being squished in this tiny hole-in-the-wall haunt, the Hard Water is where you want to be. This NOLA-themed place has the best options for rare bourbon by the flight in the city.

If you’re looking for a more casual environment to enjoy your whiskey in, then Whiskey Thieves is the place to be. It boasts a relaxed, but substantial option of liquors, pool tables, jukeboxes, and affordable prices.

If you need a reprieve from the average yuppie San Francisco bar, then Bloodhound is your best bet. It’s themed as a country western lodge with leather sets, exposed wooden beams, hunting apparel decorating the walls and Edison light bulbs. The liquor selection is massive, and the pool table and old school jukebox finish off the rugged touch.

If you’re in the mood for a classy atmosphere to enjoy your glass of whiskey, then look no further than Swig. In the colder seasons the bar offers a pleasant fire to cozy up to, and an impressive selection of more than 150 whiskeys that span 80 years. The prices are not cheap, but it’s worth the splurge now and then.

The Alembic is a small, tucked away narrow room that has an overwhelming list of excellent liquor choices. The bar specializes in getting you the perfect glass of bourbon, single malt scotch, American whiskey and Irish whiskey. If you’re feeling for something a little less straight forward, then try the new school and old school mixed options to liven things up.